Double Duty Defense

Title: Double Duty Defense

Series: Dating a Denver Dragon #3

Author: M.J. Padgett

Source: Hoopla

My Review:

Double Duty Defense is the third book in the multiauthor series, Dating a Denver Dragon. It can be read as a standalone novel. This is my first book by this author.

"It's hard to smile through things that make us uncomfortable, but at the end of the day, you have to be happy with who you are and what you're doing with your life. I've learned that more than once, and it keeps being true."

Greer and Evander have a rivalry going, and Greer cannot stand Evander. Greer is a soccer goalie, and Evander is a hockey goalie. She sees him as always lording her mistakes over her. Evander just thinks they are sparing, not realizing how deeply Greer feels each jab.

I struggled a bit with this enemies-to-lovers romance. I felt like Greer took things too far and was just mean at times. I get being driven and focused. I also get struggling with stuff, but there's just no point in being mean and ugly. 

This one has a cool challenge between Greer and Evander, so unique, and like nothing else I have read before. There was also a surprising scene that I wasn't expecting, and wouldn't really expect in a romcom. All that to say, there is depth to the story; it's not just a romcom. And, in some ways, I felt like it took away from the happily ever after. 

★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):  

The Denver Darling’s star goaltender, Greer Morgan, is in a rut that’s beginning to impact her game. Ever since high school, she’s sacrificed love, friendship, and adventure to focus on one thing—soccer. But life isn’t fulfilling when you spend it alone, so her teammates encourage her to find someone to help her liven up her life by dating again. Evander Calloway needs to find his focus. The Denver Dragons are one missed goal away from benching him, bit it’s hard to focus on the game when your life is going up in flames at every turn—and his ex is the one lighting everything on fire. His teammates force him to go on a blind date, but he doesn’t expect the sparks that fly when he meets Greer. When Greer discovers Evander is her first date, she almost bails but decides there’s no reason she can’t go toe to toe with the world’s most obnoxious and narcissistic goaltender—for a stupid sport played by a bunch of goons. Their date goes from bad to worse, making front page news before the night is over, and they both vow to never speak to one another again. Except… Greer can’t stop thinking about how fighting with Evander was the distraction she needed to loosen up. Evander’s focus is back, but it’s not on the game. It’s on Greer and what it might be like to kiss a Darling.